A. In this text, the Lord places the decision upon mankind to “enter”. Every human is a free moral agent with a choice to make in life (Josh 24:15, Acts 10:34-35).
B. Concerning religious decisions, there are only two choices one can make:
1. Disobedience- a blatant rejection of the will of God; when one knows God’s will and simply refuses to do it (Jer 6:16; Matt 21:28-32; Jer. 22:21, 44:16). There are two kinds of disobedience:
a. Active- Moses and the rock, Jonah, People who refuse to obey the New Testament today.
b. Passive- people who never put forth the effort to find out God’s law, ignorance, apathy (James 4:17, Lk 12:47, Acts 17:30-31).
2. Obedience- freely choosing to obey the Master (Rom 6:17, Heb 5:8-9; Lk 6:46; Rev 22:14, Heb 11:8, Acts 5:29).
C. Are you obeying God? Are you on the road to Heaven or Hell? You know and God knows (Prov 15:3; Heb 4:13).
II.
Two Gates
A. Since a gate is an entrance in, or the opening of a path, Jesus is probably using this in the figurative sense to speak of the kind of LIFESTYLE one begins to live.
B. In this text, Jesus mentions two gates (i.e. lifestyles):
1. The Wide Gate is characteristic of:
a. An easy, wide entrance into; much like a large multi-car on ramp; it is easy to get in this gate.
b. It requires no effort and preplanned direction. If we just put our lives on auto-pilot and let it go wherever it wants, this is the path we will go.
c.
This Gate leads to a
d. The Final Destination of this path is Destruction of the Soul.
2. The Narrow Gate is characteristic of:
a. A gate that is not as easy to get into; much like a one lane exit ramp on the freeway.
b. Requires great effort and direction to go down this path.
c. This is the road less traveled; no traffic jams.
d. Final destination is eternal life.
III.
Two Ways
A. The first way in life is the Broad Approach to life. In this way, many things are broadened beyond their naturally intended boundaries.
1. Broad Morals—These people hold morals that will not hurt anyone’s feelings, and will never make them feel guilty.
a. Marriage—divorce is rampant, sexual infidelity is a common thing, homosexuality is o.k.
b. Abortion is a natural scientific way to solve a medical, Psychological problem. Babies do not have the right to live.
c. Drugs and Alcohol are frequently used by these type of people. And, if not used they approved by them (Rom 1:32).
2. Broad Behavior in life. These people have none, or very few restrictions on the way they act. “Live and Let Live” would be their motto.
a. They are like the rest of the world. They conform to whatever is popular and culturally accepted.
b. They often times use filthy language much like the rest of the world.
3. Broad Religious views- These people are more acceptance, forgiving and liberal minded on who is or is not a Christian.
a. They would believe in Unity in Diversity.
b. One church is as good as another to them.
c. There is more than one way to be saved.
d. God is only a God of love. The Grandfather concept of God.
4. Broad views of sin- these people view sin in stark contrast to what the Bible says.
a. Sin now repent later, God will forgive you.
b. God will overlook my sin.
c. Sin isn’t that bad.
B. The second way in life is the STRAIT way. This word really would be better defined as restricted. The idea is that a person is traveling on a narrow stream with a rising wall of rock on either side of him and he must stay exactly according to the way the river goes. In this way of life there are restrictions on things. If you go the wrong way you crash into the wall and drown in the river of destruction!!
1. Restricted Morals
2. Restricted Behavior
3. Restricted Religious views
4. Restricted view of sin
IV.
Two Groups
A. The Popular Group—Many
B. The unpopular group—Few. How does the Bible define the word few?
1. The Flood—8 souls
2.
3. The church of our Lord today.
V.
Two Destinations
A. Destruction (2 Thes 1:7-10).
B. Life Eternal